USDA gives Mississippi chicken growers up to $23 million for pandemic losses

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The U.S. Department of Agriculture hatched up millions of dollars to support Mississippi chicken growers.

Contract growers who raise chicken for poultry process companies were previously not given federal assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That led to many farmers suffering substantial losses when processing facilities were forced to reduce or stop production.

With help from Senator Roger Wicker who urged the USDA to support the industry, around $23 million dollars will be given to over 500 chicken growers in Mississippi.

Distributed to 557 chicken growers in Mississippi, while $400,000 will go to chicken egg contract producers in Mississippi.